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Monday, November 23 - 2009

Outlook for investment and property in Bahrain is bright, says Economic Development Chief

The Chief Executive of Bahrain's Economic Development Fund has told the FT Gulf Property Conference in the capital Manama that the nation is well placed to avoid the dramatic slowdown in real estate prices seen in the West.

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Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa's keynote speech to the conference said Bahrain was likely to avoid the global correction more than any other country in the Gulf.

He explained:
"The major real estate developments in Bahrain have been largely backed by Islamic banks, and have not suffered, for the most part, from the credit crunch. Also, we have not been as dependant as other nations on money from outside to finance our new developments, so we have not suffered from withdrawals that have weakened others."


In his speech to the event at the Gulf Hotel in Manama, Shaikh Mohammed outlined 10 underlying strengths of the Bahrain property sector:s

- Depth and range of financial products and services to support property developers.

- A mature and sophisticated real estate market

- Well established regulation that inspires confidence.

- Bahrain bank's exposure to the property sector has been well managed to reduce undue risk

- More than half the population is under 25 so creating a future market for residents that is not just about ex-pats

- Rental markets remain strong

- Developments mainly backed by Islamic investment banks that have not suffered from the credit crunch

- Bahrain is base for business with whole of the GCC and the planned causeway to Qatar together with the existing one to Saudi Arabia mean the Kingdom is an ideal hub to locate.

- The workforce is skilled and competitively priced

- Bahrain offers cosmopolitan lifestyle and open market environment

"The property picture in the MENA region remains brighter. The current financial crisis will no doubt force delays and a scaling down of some of the more ambitious real estate ventures, but overall there is every reason for optimism."


said Shaikh Mohammed.
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Notes and media contacts

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for formulating and overseeing the economic development strategy of Bahrain, and for creating the right climate to attract direct investment into the Kingdom.

The role of the Bahrain EDB is to provide leadership by uniting all of the Kingdom's shareholders through a unified vision, and to develop key strategies for growth. The Bahrain EDB also acts as a facilitator, helping all of Bahrain 's stakeholders to understand and adopt the changes necessary for progress. In addition, the Bahrain EDB provides sound project management to ensure that all agreed reform initiatives are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

The Bahrain EDB is also responsible for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on six target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths. These are financial services, downstream industries, tourism, business services, logistics, and education and training.

Further information
Rania Al-Shirawi, Director of Global Communications, EDB
Tel: +973 17 589 999

Ciaran Baker, Bell Pottinger
Tel: +973 3656 3052

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